What Causes Homelessness - Part 2

Why do people experience homelessness? There is no quick and easy answer. It is easy and common to blame a stagnant or failing economy. The fallacy with that argument is that, when the economy turns around, homelessness should decrease. Most studies have shown that there has been no significant decrease in the number of those who experience homelessness in the last decade. If anything, the number is rising with little regard to the health or decline in the national economy. This rise in the homeless population is cause for concern.

Establishing a number of those who experience homelessness is difficult to do. A 2007 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness states the “Every year, 600,000 families with 1.3 million children experience homelessness in the United States, making up about 50 percent of the homeless population over the course of the year.” (http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/fact-sheet-on-homeless-families). The National Center on Family Homelessness places that number now at 2.5 million children. “This “historic high represents one in every 30 children in the United States” (http://www.air.org/center/national-center-family-homelessness).

Every year in January, agencies involved in addressing homelessness conduct a “point-in-time” count to gauge the national situation on a given night. This past January,

·         There were 564,708 people experiencing homelessness in the United States.

·         Sixty-nine percent of those who were homeless were in sheltered locations and 31 percent were found in unsheltered locations (streets, abandoned buildings, cars, etc.).

·         Nearly one-quarter (23 percent or 127,787) of all homeless people were children, under the age of 18. 

·         Ten percent (or 52,973) were between the ages of 18 and 24, and 66 percent (or 383,948) were 25 years or older. (https://projecthome.org/about/facts-homelessness)

So the question remains, why? Unless we understand the causes of homelessness we will be ineffective in our attempts to address the issue. We will continue this topic with a look at some of the issues that contribute to homelessness.

 

What Causes Homelessness? Part One

Mercifully, the election is over and the post-election posturing has begun. As in most election cycles, the economy has been front and center in voter’s minds. Will our economy improve or worsen under a new administration? Will more jobs be created? Will unemployment decrease? Will wages rise?

The data is in for our most recent fiscal year (ended on September 30). On average in 2016, 119 men, women and children found shelter on any given night at the Rescue Mission. When sharing this number in the community, it is common to hear this response, “It is no wonder the number is high, given the state of the economy.” Popular opinion links episodes of homelessness with the fate of the economy. However, we have learned that there is no clear correspondence between economic conditions and the number of people who experience homelessness.

Certainly, poverty and unemployment are factors in episodes of homelessness. But, at least in the Mahoning Valley, we have witnessed an interesting trend. When the economy “tanked” in 2008, the average number of people who sought shelter at the Rescue Mission was 63. That average number dropped to 56 in 2009. As conditions began to improve, our numbers began to rise: 65 in 2010; 78 in 2011; 85 in 2012; 101 in 2013; 122 in 2014; and 131 in 2015.

How do we explain these rising numbers? Perhaps the larger question is this: “if poverty is a contributor to homelessness, what, then, causes poverty?” Why do people experience homelessness? We will look at this in the next post.

Election Day and Beyond

The term “election” brings shivers – whether one speaks in political or theological terms. Our purpose is not to delve into matters of a theological nature nor, is it to take a political position. Nonetheless, the continual exposure to the current political conversation is inescapable. We do not know who will be elected our next president. No matter who wins, this election will be historic. However, on November 9 we are confident that some things will not change:

• The doors of the Rescue Mission will be open.
• There will still be about 120 people who will find shelter at the Mission.
• The Mission will serve meals to nearly 185 people.
• Hope will continue to be found in the gospel that is proclaimed daily at the Mission.
• And regardless who will occupy the Oval Office, God will still be in control.

We've Got You Covered

Altrusa International of Youngstown met at the Canfield Library during August to make blankets for the Rescue Mission. This was a project for their “Make a Difference Day.” President –elect Janet Haladay, Secretary Dianne Leanne, and former Vice President Judy Kane delivered these hand-made blankets to the Mission. Thank you Altrusa for making a difference in the lives of our guests at the Mission.

Open Doors

At the Rescue Mission, our doors are always open. They are open, not only for people who are experiencing homelessness, but they are open for visitors and volunteers as well. This week we were honored to have a group of Kent State University nursing students tour the Mission. This “field trip” is part of the “psych” rotation in their training.

Crystal Eckman, our Mission Ambassador and tour guide extraordinaire reports that they really enjoyed the tour. “They had a really, really good time.” Thanks, KSU students for stopping by.

Call and schedule a tour or just stop by. Our doors are always open.

Unsolicited Testimonials

Mercy College of Ohio, a nursing school affiliated with St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, recently brought several groups of nursing students to tour and learn about homelessness in the Mahoning Valley. Afterwards, they were required to evaluate their visit and share their impressions.

Here are several of the comments from the students:

I had no idea the Mission had job and educational programs. I also learned just because you have to attend a mission doesn't necessarily mean you're "lazy" or a "bum." Hardship can effect anyone at anytime. I am grateful for this program in our area.

I live 10 minutes from the Mission and I never knew it was there. I pass groups of people on my way to school and home from school who I never really paid attention to, who are most likely homeless or addicted to drugs and alcohol, but I always looked away. Before today I believed homelessness was, in a way, a choice. These people probably got addicted to drugs, although they knew the consequences but made the decision to do illegal drugs anyway and it led to their homelessness; so it was their choice or their fault they're in that situation. Although that is true of some individuals, I learned it could happen to anyone. It could happen to me or someone I love. You don't have to be addicted to drugs to be homeless; you could just fall on hard times in life... Those who are willing to pick themselves back up after they've hit rock bottom deserve and need a place like the Mission to feel like they're members of society again.

Instructor Annette Henrichs said "In their evals, they rated the Mission 100%. Thanks for all you do."

Thank you Mercy College of Ohio Nursing Students!

Yes, We Do That Too!

This is Rev. Dave Wyant filling the pulpit at Sharon Baptist Church in Sharon, PA. This church has called a new Pastor who will begin on August 7. In the meantime, they reached out for help in filling the pulpit. Dave is a faithful volunteer who speaks every Sunday at the Mission for the 9:00 a.m. church service. Dave, whose wife is the Director of Development at the Rescue Mission, is working toward a PhD. in Biblical Studies. His goal is to become "the most over-qualified volunteer in Mission history." Dave loves to study and preach God's Word!

We have several men at the Mission who are willing and able to provide pulpit supply. Dave is one of 3 men who have been active this summer preaching and representing the Mission at area churches. If you are interested in having a Mission representative speak about the Rescue Mission or provide a message for a Sunday morning service, please contact Ron Starcher, Director of Church Relations. He can be reached at 330-744-5485 or Rstarcher@RescueMissionMV.org